Srettha Thavisin, the newly appointed Prime Minister, met with representatives from eight airlines on Monday to discuss plans to capitalize on a rise in tourists during the high season.
They were: Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways International; Woranate Laprabang, CEO of Thai VietJet Air; Santisuk Klongchaiya, CEO of Thai AirAsia; Tassapon Bijleveld, CEO of Thai AirAsia X; Chaiyong Rattanapaisansuk, acting CEO of Thai Smile Airways; Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth, CEO of Bangkok Airways; Aswin Yangkirativorn, CEO of Thai Lion Air; and Wutthiphum Jurangkool, CEO of Nok Air.
The conference was also attended by Kerati Kijmanawat, director of Airports of Thailand (AOT), and Suttipong Kongpool, director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT).
Mr Srettha was given an update on the domestic and global air transport scenarios. Meeting delegates also discussed challenges limiting air travel, with airline executives demanding greater government participation in promoting tourism during the forthcoming busy season, which runs from November to March.
The conference also addressed issues raised by tourist and aviation company operators to the Prime Minister and the ruling Pheu Thai Party following the implementation of the free visa policy for high-potential nations such as China.
The policy is intended to increase tourist arrivals. To make this work, the government needs to raise flying frequency by at least 20% during peak season. A solution would be to deploy more aircraft to satisfy flight expansion while also promoting Thai tourism in large markets like China and India.
Mr Srettha stated that Pheu Thai will begin promoting tourism and implementing the required steps as soon as it is sworn into power.
According to him, the party sees the fourth quarter of this year as critical for supporting the economy and tourism.
Mr Srettha also expressed gratitude to the AoT for its assistance in advancing the tourism promotion policy throughout the peak season. The agency has contributed to seamless airport administration by increasing flight frequency and launching runway expansion.
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